Beijing organizers for the Paralympic Games have been keeping their promises, concluded an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) technical official during the International Goalball Tournament in Beijing on Friday.
Jim Leask, technical official of the goalball committee of the IPC, gave high marks on the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, where the Paralympics test event is held.
"This is the best we've ever had. It is convenient, compact but not crowded," he said.
The 21,900 square meters stadium has one main court and two warm-up courts with a spectator capacity of 5,000. Located in northwest Beijing, the stadium was rebuilt to add non-barrier facilities to host the Paralympics goalball event as well as the Olympic volleyball competition.
"There is not only tactile. They have gone with the trouble that when there is a door there is a different pattern. When there is crosspath there is a different pattern," Leask said.
"It is the right type of tactile for the blind and all of the corners they put in huge efforts in making sure that the facility accessible for the blind," he said.
"What I have learned from my time here is when Chinese say they would do something they will do it. They will put the effort in and they will do it right," he said.
"Everything has been done according to our requirements," he added.
The goalball event here was this year's only test event for the Paralympics. A wheelchair basketball competition will be held in "Good Luck Beijing" test events series next year.
(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)
